Carpet
Tile
Hardwoods
Laminate

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Carpet Care

Vacuum Frequently

Frequent vacuuming helps keep your carpet clean, fresh, and looking great because it removes dirt and other dry particles that make your carpet appear dull. Vacuuming high traffic areas on a more than regular basis helps your carpet look newer longer by keeping its texture.

Annual Carpet Cleaning

It is important to clean your carpet using a hot water extraction system (also known as “steam cleaning”) once a year in order to remove the build up of oily, sticky soils that are a result of air pollution, cooking vapors, dirt, etc. Using a professional carpet cleaning service is highly suggested.

Removal of Spots and Stains

Prompt attention to spots and stains is essential! Shaw provides a list of good suggestions for handling spots and stains…

• Remove as much of food spills as possible by scraping gently with a spoon or dull knife. Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting repeatedly.
• BLOT never rub or scrub abrasively.
• Always follow up with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling.
• Draw out remaining moisture by placing several layers of white paper towels over the spot, then weigh them down with a heavy object that will not transfer color such as a plastic jug of water.
• Use a solution of a mild detergent (no more than º teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of water.)
• Use a clear, non-bleach liquid dishwashing detergent such as clear Dawn, Joy, or Ivory.
• Do NOT use detergents that are cloudy or creamy because they may leave a residue.
• A solution of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water is also a good spot remover, and an alternative to detergent.
• Use white cloths or white paper towels.
• An ammonia solution of one tablespoon of ammonia to one cup of water can also be applied to spots and stains. NOTE - DO NOT USE ON WOOL!
• Non-oily nail polish remover can remove some tough spots and stains.
• Chewing gum remover (freeze or solid type) can be applied to gum, or other sticky spots.
  Spot remover specifically for grease, oil, or tar, such as Carbona or Energine can be used to remove such stains.

Tile Care

Care guidelines provided by Shaw

Damp Mop Weekly
Wipe down your ceramic floor with a damp mop at least once a week (or more often for heavy traffic areas) with R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner from Shaw's line of Floor Covering Care Products. If R2X Hard Surfaces Flooring Cleaner is not available, a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar to 2 gallons of clean tap water can be used. Never use a detergent or soap, because it can dull the surface or promote the growth of mildew.

Caution: Wait at least 72 hours after installation (to allow new ceramic tile and grout to dry) before damp mopping.

Use Protective Mats
Good quality entry and exit mats will help protect your ceramic tile from premature wear. They trap the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked onto your floor. Mats are also suggested at heavy pivot locations, such as in front of your kitchen sink or stove.

Add Protective Pads to Furniture
Protect your tile by affixing felt or similar pads to the legs of any metal, iron, wood, or plastic furniture that will be placed on it. Exterior metal furniture, which rests on tile floors or patios, may rust and cause staining.

Use Recommended Sealers and Cleaners Only
We do not recommend cleaners other than Shaw's own line of floor care products or the vinegar solution described above. They may cause unwarranted damage to your tile and/or grout.

Check Cure Time Before Adding Grout Sealer
Unless noted otherwise on its packaging, grout should cure for at least 28 days before applying a sealer.

Use a Penetrating Sealer on Quarry Tiles
Shaw's quarry tiles are the only Shaw tiles that need a penetrating sealer. These sealers are absorbed into the tile, forming a stain resistant shield just below the surface. Most sealers will darken or change the appearance of the tile, and resealing is usually required every 12 to 18 months. None of Shaw's other tiles will need a sealer, as they are not porous enough to absorb it.

Hardwood Care

Shaw suggests the following care for hardwood floors…

• Using mats and floor protectors on legs of furniture can help prevent scratches.
• For routine maintenance use a damp cloth to blot up spills when they occur.
• Sweep, dust, or vacuum floor regularly with the hardwood floor attachment (not the beater bar.)
• Periodically clean hardwood floors with cleaning products specifically intended for prefinished hardwood floors.
• Do NOT wet mop or wash floors with detergent, soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material.
• Do NOT use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or strong ammoniated or chlorinated type cleaners.
• For tough spots such as oil, paint, lipstick, markers, ink or tar, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
• For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, first harden with ice then scrape with a plastic scraper such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface.
• For tough stains, you may need to use a heavy-duty stain remover specifically made for use on hardwood floors.

Laminate Care

Care guidelines provided by Wilsonart Flooring…

• For everyday cleaning an electrostatic cleaner works great!
  
• For more thorough cleaning a vacuum and a dap mop using one ounce of Wilsonart Flooring Cleaner (or any other cleaner specifically intended for laminate) in a gallon of warm water.
  
• Applying a small amount of acetone or denatured alcohol to a clean white cloth, then blotting the stain can remove stains such as ink, shoe polish, and paint.
  
• Using mats and floor protectors on legs of furniture can help prevent scratches.
  
• Do not apply polishes, detergents, soaps, or waxes to laminate.
  
• Never sand or use scouring pads or steel wool to clean laminate.